Wisconsin 275
Wisconsin 275
BizTimes Media

John Walz

President
Milwaukee School of Engineering  | Milwaukee

John Walz became the fifth president of Milwaukee School of Engineering in 2016. Walz has spearheaded various strategic initiatives, such as modernizing and upgrading campus infrastructure, broadening the institution’s recruitment efforts across different regions, enhancing the sense of inclusion and belonging on campus, and developing new academic programs that align with the needs of corporate partners. Under his leadership, MSOE received its largest-ever gift, a $34 million donation to build a new computational science hall on its downtown campus, from NVIDIA vice president and MSOE alumnus Dwight Diercks and his wife, Dian. Other major projects during Walz’s tenure have included the new Robert Spitzer Dining Commons, We Energies STEM Center, nursing facility expansion, and Hermann Viets Tower.

Education: Bachelor’s and master’s, Tulane University; doctorate, Carnegie Mellon University

What would you do if you could choose another career: “I gave serious thought to becoming a physician, but I am very happy with the choice I made. (In total honesty, a major league baseball player, but this was a dream).”

One decision to do over: “I wish I had not delayed in buying stock in Nvidia several years ago.”

What would you like to change about Wisconsin: “Longer summers, more Cajun restaurants (I’m from south Louisiana).”

Definition of success: “Having enough money and time to do the things I greatly enjoy.”

2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile

Nonprofits and Education
President
Milwaukee School of Engineering | Milwaukee

John Walz joined Milwaukee School of Engineering in 2016, becoming the college’s fifth president. Under his leadership, MSOE received its largest-ever gift, a $34 million donation to build a new computational science hall on its downtown campus, and created a new bachelor of science in computer science degree focused on artificial intelligence.  

In 2020, the college opened several new facilities, including the Robert Spitzer Dining Commons, We Energies STEM Center and the Ruehlow Nursing Complex lab expansion. The following year, it completed a $37 million renovation and expansion of a residential hall, creating Hermann Viets Tower.  

MSOE has also built partnerships with area employers, particularly Milwaukee-based senior living industry supplier Direct Supply. In 2019, Direct Supply completed a $14 million renovation of an Innovation & Technology Center on MSOE’s campus, which connects professors and students with research projects and internships at the company. 

Earlier this year, the school unveiled plans to build a $2.9 million softball stadium on its campus for its NCAA Division III women’s softball team.  

Outside of campus, Walz has served on the board of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Wisconsin Technology Council and Higher Education Regional Alliance. 

Prior to joining MSOE, Walz was dean of the college of engineering at the University of Kentucky and head of Virginia Tech’s Department of Chemical Engineering and chairman of Yale University’s Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering. 

Education: Bachelor’s and master’s, Tulane University; doctorate, Carnegie Mellon University